Bedtime stories for five-year-olds.
Five-year-olds are ready for a little more: a journey, a new friend, a clue to follow, and sometimes a longer story. These five free stories each have a small adventure in them and an ending that comes safely home. Here's what each one offers, so you can choose tonight's.
5 complete stories2 to 5 minutes eachfree to read
Five small adventures to choose from
dragons · about 2 minutes to read aloud
Ember and the Lantern of Stars
A gentle dragon on a lantern-lit hill finds a lost hedgehog and offers it a warm place to rest.
For a listener who wants a dragon, with kindness instead of fire.
Read Ember and the Lantern of Stars
space · about 2 minutes to read aloud
Barnaby's Trip Around the Moon
A teddy bear flies a make-believe rocket around the moon and lands softly back on his pillow.
For a listener who plays pretend, since the whole adventure happens in a bedroom.
Read Barnaby's Trip Around the Moon
pirates · about 2 minutes to read aloud
The Map to Bedtime Bay
A crayon map turns bath time, brushing teeth and putting on pajamas into clues that lead to bed.
For a listener who likes puzzles; you can follow the same clues through your own routine.
Read The Map to Bedtime Bay
friendship · about 2 minutes to read aloud
The New Duckling at the Pond
A shy duckling at a new pond meets a frog who is brave enough to say hello first.
For a listener starting school or somewhere new, who is thinking about making friends.
Read The New Duckling at the Pond
trucks · about 5 minutes to read aloud
Rumble's Last Delivery
A big delivery truck drives through the countryside and over a narrow bridge to bring a girl a parcel.
For a listener ready for a longer story: about five minutes, with a steady journey to follow.
Read Rumble's Last Delivery
How to choose between them
If your child wants something exciting, Ember is a dragon and Barnaby flies to the moon, but both stories end calm and close to home. If they like puzzles, follow the clues in The Map to Bedtime Bay through your own routine.
If they're starting somewhere new, The New Duckling at the Pond is about being brave enough to say hello. If you have a little more time, Rumble's Last Delivery is a longer journey of about five minutes.
These are our suggestions from reading the stories, not an assessment of what every five-year-old needs. You know your child best, and a favorite story read again is always a good choice too.
Tomorrow, the story continues
A story can be written anywhere. Pimlo remembers the world.
Five-year-olds often want to know what happens next. In Pimlo, your child's own story world carries on from one night to the next.
Parents set the age band and what to avoid, and stories are checked before playback.
For parents and caregivers. No child information needed.